Thursday, January 05, 2006
Taupo here we come
A nice short blast up the Esk valley & down into Taupo this morning. Actually enjoyed the corners this time, rather than them resulting in the mild queasiness of the camper van. Great scenery - green and undulating, though the undulations seem steeper and closer together than at home. It felt very like the northern Peak District, though perhaps with more conifers. No settlements, just how I like it.
Pootled into Taupo in time for lunch, and by accident managed to end up at a cafe where we were able to get Max a gluten free bagel, an object hitherto unseen by the Lilleys. After that we went up to the AC baths, as recommended by Johnny. Lovely geothermally heated pools. Aaaahhh. Then drove up to the Huka Falls, another Johnny recommendation. Not very high - just a wide river forced through a narrow channel, leading to a thundering, hissing, foaming turquoise torrent at the far end, which fans out in a huge white arc, and very shortly transforms into a calm, wide river again. Well worth the minimal effort required to view it.
Pootled into Taupo in time for lunch, and by accident managed to end up at a cafe where we were able to get Max a gluten free bagel, an object hitherto unseen by the Lilleys. After that we went up to the AC baths, as recommended by Johnny. Lovely geothermally heated pools. Aaaahhh. Then drove up to the Huka Falls, another Johnny recommendation. Not very high - just a wide river forced through a narrow channel, leading to a thundering, hissing, foaming turquoise torrent at the far end, which fans out in a huge white arc, and very shortly transforms into a calm, wide river again. Well worth the minimal effort required to view it.
// posted by Chrisl @ 10:32 PM 
